Low power wireless network using desktop antenna

• US 6,219,553 B1
• Filed: 03/31/1997
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Panasik, Carl M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bhattacharya, Sam
• Application Number:
  US08/829,563
• Time in Patent Office: 1,478 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41, 455/62, 455/63, 455/67.2, 455/67.6, 455/446, 455/561, 455/562, 342/432, 342/434, 343/767, 343/905
• US Class Current: 455/446
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/14 with provision for individual teacher-student communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/203 Leaky coaxial lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/28 using the near field of leaky cables, e.g. of leaky coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2609 Arrangements for range control, e.g. by using remote antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/30 Special cell shapes, e.g. doughnuts or ring cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A network of electronic devices such as computers (50) and/or calculators (36, 38) uses low power communication to transmit wireless signals through a distributed antenna system (40). The distributed antenna system may be formed in conjunction with ceiling or floor tiles 62 or modular office components (44 and 46) or student desks. The distributed antenna system 40 reduces the effective distance between a transmitting and receiving device to a nominal distance.

Claims

1. A wireless network comprising:

a plurality of mobile electronic devices having circuitry for receiving and sending data by wireless communication signals;

a plurality of furniture pieces other than said mobile electronic devices;

a distributed antenna system to provide a low loss propagation path for wireless communication signals, said system comprising at least one antenna segment proximate at least one of said furniture pieces; and

at least one of said electronic devices proximate said distributed antenna system.

2. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein said antenna segments coupled to said furniture pieces comprise first antenna segments and said distributed antenna system further comprises second antenna segments coupled to said first antenna segments.

3. The wireless network of claim 2 wherein said first antenna segments are physically connected to an associated second antenna segment.

4. The wireless network of claim 2 wherein said first antenna segments are coupled to associated second antenna segment via a connector.

5. The wireless network of claim 4 wherein said first antenna segments are coupled to said associated second antenna segment using a patch cable.

6. The wireless network of claim 2, wherein said second antenna segments are coupled to a floor.

7. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein said distributed antenna system is coupled to a base electronic device.

8. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein ones of said mobile electronic devices are portable computers.

9. The wireless network of claim 8 wherein said distributed antenna system is coupled to a network access point.

10. The wireless network of claim 8 wherein said furniture pieces are modular furniture pieces.

11. The wireless network of claim 1 wherein ones of said mobile electronic devices are calculators.

12. The wireless network of claim 11 wherein said furniture pieces are student desks.

13. The wireless network of claim 11 wherein said distributed antenna system is coupled to a teacher calculator.

14. A computer network comprising:

a plurality of antenna segments located in a work area, each antenna segment located proximate a respective furniture piece to provide a low loss propagation path for wireless communication signal;

at least one access point coupled to at least one of said antenna segments; and

at least one mobile electronic device proximate at least one of said antenna segments, having capability to transmit wireless signals at low power levels such that wireless transmission by a device to an antenna segment in said work area does not interfere with communications with other antennas in other work areas adjacent said work area.

15. The computer network of claim 14 wherein said antenna segments comprise segments of lossy cable.

16. The computer of claim 14 wherein said mobile electronic device comprises a portable computer.

17. A wireless network comprising:

a plurality of mobile electronic devices having circuitry for receiving and sending data by wireless communication signals;

a plurality of work surfaces;

a distributed antenna system to provide a low loss propagation path for wireless communication signals, said system comprising at least one antenna segment proximate at least one of said work surfaces; and

at least one of said electronic devices proximate said distributed antenna system.

18. A computer network comprising:

a plurality of antenna segments located in a work area, each antenna segment located proximate a respective work surface to provide a low loss propagation path for wireless communication signal;

at least one access point coupled to at least one of said antenna segments; and

at least one mobile electronic device proximate at least one of said antenna segments, having capability to transmit wireless signals at low power levels such that wireless transmission by a device to an antenna segment in said office does not interfere with communications with other antennas in other work areas adjacent said work area.